Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cells employ a restricted range of T-cell antigen receptor variable region genes.

Monoclonal antibodies that recognize the proteins specified by two families of T-cell antigen receptor variable region genes were assessed as clonal markers in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome). About 3% to 5% of tumors were expected to react with each antibody. However, 10 of 16 cases studied reacted with MAbs specific for the V beta 8 gene family. All the positive cases were examples of the plaque or tumor stages of CTCL. None of the cases of eczematoid or premycotic CTCL showed uniform reactivity with these antibodies. Unexpected use of one particular V gene family raises the possibility that CTCL derives from a distinct subpopulation of antigen- or virus-selected T cells.